2.1.10

NATIONAL GALLERY OF IRELAND TO PRESENT TURNER WATERCOLOURS


THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF IRELAND'S FAMOUS VAUGHN COLLECTION OF WATERCOLOURS BY JMW TURNER WILL BE ON DISPLAY FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY. IT INCLUDES TURNER'S MOST STRIKING WORKS IN WATERCOLOUR PAINTED DURING HIS LATER EUROPEAN TOURS; THE DOGE'S PALACE IN VENICE, LAKE LUCERN, AND THE FORTRESS AT BELLINZONA IN SWITZERLAND. THIS YEAR THE EXHIBITION WILL BE COMPLEMENTED BY A DISPLAY OF 17th, 18th AND 19th CENTURY SILHOUETTES AND MINIATURES FROM THE MARY A MCNEILL BEQUEST, COMPRISING WORKS BY JOHN COMERFORD, RICHARD CROSSE AND WILLIAM GRIMALDI. THESE DELICATE LIKENESSES, PAINTED IN WATERCOLOUR ON IVORY OR ENAMEL ON COPPER, WERE POPULAR IN TURNER'S DAY AND WERE PRIZED AS KEEPSAKES AND SOMETIMES WORN AS JEWELRY. THE COLLECTION BEQUEATHED TO THE GALLERY IN 1984 BY MARY A MCNEILL, A NOTABLE BELFAST COLLECTOR AND HISTORIAN.
HENRY VAUGHN WAS BORN IN SOUTHWARK, LONDON, IN 1809. HIS FATHER, A WEALTHY HAT MANUFACTURER, DIED IN 1828 LEAVING HIS SON A GREAT FORTUNE. HENRY BECAME A CULTIVATED COLLECTOR OF ART, GRADUALLY BUILDING UP A MAGNIFICENT COLLECTION. HE PATRONIZED LIVING ARTISTS AND WAS DESCRIBED AS 'A GREAT TURNER MAN'. WHEN HE DIED UNMARRIED IN 1899 AGED 90, HIS ART COLLECTION WAS DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE MAJOR PUBLIC MUSEUMS. THE BULK OF HIS OUTSTANDING COLLECTION OF TURNER WATERCOLOURS WAS DIVIDED BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF SCOTLAND (38 WORKS) AND THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF IRELAND (31 WORKS). THE VAUGHN BEQUEST IN THE NATIONAL GALLERY CONSTITUTES 31 WATERCOLOURS, AND THE GALLERY HAS ADDED TO THE COLLECTION OVER THE YEARS. TODAY, THE COLLECTION COMPRISES A TOTAL OF 36 AMAZING WATERCOLOURS BY TURNER, WHICH REMAIN IN PRISTINE CONDITION. THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF IRELAND CONTINUES TO ADHERE TO THE CONDITIONS OF THE VAUGHN BEQUEST, AND SO EVERY JANUARY THE GALLERY PUTS ON DISPLAY THESE LUMINOUS WATERCOLOURS WHICH CONTINUE TO BE A MAJOR ATTRACTION IN THE EXHIBITION CALENDER.

ARTIST BUYS £3,000 HOME SLIPPING INTO SEA . . . TO PAINT IT BEING WASHED AWAY




AN ARTIST BUYS A £3,000 HOME THAT IS SLIPPING INTO THE SEA SO THAT HE MAY PAINT IT BEING WASHED AWAY. WITH TWO BEDROOMS, A FULLY EQUIPPED KITCHEN AND SOME STUNNING VIEWS OF THE COAST, THE BUNGALOW STYLE HOUSE IS A BARGAIN AT £3,000. BUT THERE IS A REASON FOR THE UNIQUE BUY, IT WILL SOON FALL OFF THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF IT STANDS ON BECAUSE OF COASTAL EROSION. YET TO KANE CUNNINGHAM, IT IS MORE AN EVOLVING WORK OF ART THAN A CONDEMNED PROPERTY. CUNNINGHAM BOUGHT THE SEMI-DETACHED BUNGALOW TWO WEEKS AGO TO FILM AND PAINT ITS DECENT INTO THE SEA, THE ULTIMATE 'PROPERTY CRASH' AS HE SEES IT. HIS WIFE WASN'T TOO HAPPY TO DISCOVER HE HAD PUT £3,000 ON HIS CREDIT CARD JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS, BUT CUNNINGHAM INSISTS PAYING FOR THE HOUSE IN THIS WAY WAS SYMBOLIC OF THE ECONOMIC TURMOIL OF THE CREDIT CRUNCH ERA. THE HOUSE, AT KNIPE POINT, NEAR SCARBOROUGH, WHICH WAS WORTH MORE THAN £160,000 TWO YEARS AGO, IS JUST A FEW FEET FROM THE EDGE OF THE ONGOING LANDSLIP AND COULD FALL INTO THE SEA ANYTIME. SEVERAL NEIGHBORING HOUSES HAVE ALREADY GONE OVER THE EDGE, AND CUNNINGHAM SAID THE EMPTY HOUSE NEXT DOOR HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS DURING THE LAST WEEK. HE SAID: 'IT REPRESENTS TO ME ALL SORTS OF IDEAS TO DO WITH THE CREDIT CRUNCH AND MORTGAGES AND THE ENVIRONMENT'. CUNNINGHAM, HEAD OF FINE ART AT YORKSHIRE COAST COLLEGE, WANTS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SEND LETTERS TO THE HOUSE, WHERE THEY WILL BE PINNED TO A WALL. HE SAID THE IDEA OF THE ADDRESS DISAPPEARING INTO THE OCEAN INSPIRED THE PROJECT'S NAME: THE LAST POST. CUNNINGHAM WILL TAKE APART THE INSIDE F THE HOUSE AND, WITH OTHER ARTISTS, WILL MAKE SCULPTURES FROM THE MATERIALS. THE WORKS WILL EVENTUALLY FALL INTO THE SEA ALONG WITH THE HOUSE. HE WILL ALSO DO A SERIES OF PAINTINGS OF THE HOUSE AND ITS SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE, AND PLANS TO PUT VIDEO CAMERAS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE TO RECORD THE DESTRUCTION AS THE HOUSE FALLS.

1.1.10

DEGAS PAINTING STOLEN FROM MARSEILLE MUSEUM


A WORK BY THE 19th CENTURY ARTIST EDGAR DEGAS VALUED AT £710,000 WAS STOLEN LATE ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT FROM A MUSEUM IN SOUTHERN FRANCE. THE COLOURFUL PASTEL, TITLED 'THE CHORUS', SHOWS A GROUP OF SINGERS PERFORMING ON A THEATER STAGE. IT WAS MISSING WHEN STAFF ARRIVED ON THURSDAY MORNING AT THE CANTINI MUSEUM IN THE SOUTHERN PORT CITY OF MARSEILLE. LOANED BY THE MUSEE D'ORSY IN PARIS FOR AN EXHIBITION FEATURING SOME 20 WORKS BY DEGAS THAT WAS DUE TO CLOSE ON 31.JANUARY, IT MEASURES 13 INCHES BY 10. A MUSEUM SPOKESPERSON SAID THAT THE FRAMED PICTURE HAD BEEN UNSCREWED FROM THE WALL. 'AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE WAS NO BREAK-IN', HE SAID, ADDING THAT INVESTIGATORS SUSPECTED AN INTRUDER, A VISITOR TO THE EXHIBITION OR AN INSIDE JOB. MAURICE DI NOCERA, THE CITY COUNCILOR RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANIZING MAJOR EVENTS IN MARSEILLE, CALLED THE THEFT 'A DISASTER FOR THE MUSEUM'. THE MUSEUM WAS CLOSED THURSDAY WHILE POLICE PURSUED THEIR INVESTIGATIONS, INCLUDING EXAMINING FILM FROM SECURITY CAMERAS.
THE MUSEE D'ORSAY, WHICH HAS BEEN LOANING OUT MANY WORKS IN RECENT MONTHS TO RAISE FUNDS, DECLINED TO COMMENT ON THE THEFT.

DUCHESS OF CORNWALL IS GRANDMOTHER TO TWINS


THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL'S DAUGHTER HAS RECENTLY GIVEN BIRTH TO TWIN BABY BOYS, CLARENCE HOUSE HAS ANNOUNCED. THE DUCHESS WAS SAID TO BE 'ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED' BY THE NEWS THAT LAURA, WHO IS MARRIED TO HARRY LOPES, NOW HAS TWO SONS. THE BOYS HAVE BEEN NAMED LOUIS AND GUS AND WERE DELIVERED AT AN UNDISCLOSED LONDON HOSPITAL YESTERDAY. A CLARENCE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON SAID: 'THE WHOLE FAMILY ARE THRILLED AND THE DUCHESS IS ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED AT THE NEWS. MOTHER AND SONS ARE DOING WELL.' THE DUCHESS ALREADY HAS TWO GRANDCHILDREN, LOLA, THE TWO YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OF HER SON TOM PARKER BOWLES, AND ELIZA, AGED 23 MONTHS, THE FIRST CHILD OF HER DAUGHTER LAURA.

31.12.09

WINDSOR CASTLE PRESENTS TOURS OF THE 'GREAT KITCHEN'


VISITORS TO WINDSOR CASTLE CAN TAKE A GUIDED TOUR 'BEHIND THE SCENES' TO TEH CASTLE'S GREAT KITCHEN, THE OLDEST WORKING KITCHEN IN ENGLAND. DATING BACK TO THE REIGN OF EDWARD III, THE GREAT KITCHEN HAS REMAINED IN CI=ONSTANT USE FOR OVER 650 YEARS AND HAS SERVED 32 BRITISH MONARCHS. THE TOUR INTRODUCES THE HISTORY OF ROYAL DINING, PAST AND PRESENT, AND GIVES A FASCINATING INSIGHT INTO WINDSOR CASTLE AS A WORKING ROYAL PALACE. TODAY, THE STAFF OF TEH ROYAL HOUSEHOLD USE THE GREAT KITCHEN TO PREPARE FOOD FOR BOTH GRAND CEREMONIAL OCCASIONS, SUCH AS STATE BANQUETS, AND MORE INFORMAL EVENTS IN THE ROYAL DIARY.
AFTER THE DEVESTATING FIRE OF 1992, RESTORATION WORK AT THE CASTLE UNCOVERED THE GREAT KITCHEN'S ORIGINAL MEDIEVAL STRUCTURE. AT THE SAME TIME, THE SPACE WAS REFITTED TO 21st CENTURY STANDARDS, AND NEW LIFTS WERE INSTALLED TO DELIVER FOOD FOR STATE BANQUETS TO ST GEORGE'S HALL ABOVE. PREVIOUSLY ALL FIVE COURSES FOR THE 161 GUESTS HAD TO BE WALKED UP THE STAIRS, SO AN EXTRA 20 PLATES WERE PREPARED IN CASE OF A DISASTER. THE TRADITIONAL COPPER POTS FROM THE REIGN OF GEORGE IV STAND ALONGSIDE MODERN HIGH-TECH EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS A HUGE WALK-IN FRIDGE AND GIANT FOOD MIXER, CAPABLE OF WHISKING HUNDREDS OF EGGS AT ONCE. THE GREAT KITCHEN TOUR IS AVAILABLE ON SELECTED DATES IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY, AUGUST, AND SEPTEMBER 2010.

"GRACELAND TOO" ELVIS MUSEUM ATTRACTS OFFBEAT TOURISM IN MISSISSIPPI


PAUL MACLEOD IS A PERPETUALLY OVERLY-CAFFEINATED ELVIS FANATIC WHO'S TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS 24-7-365 AT THE ANTEBELLUM HOME HE CALLS "GRACELAND TOO". POUND ON THE DOOR AT ANY TIME, SERIOUSLY, IT'S OK TO ARRIVE AT 4 IN THE MORNING, AND THE 67 YEAR OLD FORMER AUTO WORKER WILL ESCORT YOU THROUGH HIS DISCOMBOBULATING, FLOOR TO CEILING COLLECTION OF PHOTOS, RECORDS, FIGURINES, CARDBOARD CUTOUTS, CANDY WRAPPERS, CLOCKS AND OTHER RANDOM KITSCH FEATURING THE KING OF ROCK 'N' ROLL. 'ID GIVE MY LIFE RIGHT NOW IF I COULD BRING THIS GUY BACK', MACLEOD SAYS IN HIS AUCTIONEER'S STACCATO, HIS GRAY HAIR SLICKED BACK IN A 1950s STYLE. MACLEOD SAYS HE RARELY LEAVES GRACELAND TOO, SLEEPS ONLY SPORADICALLY AND IS FUELED BY 24 CANS OF COCA COLA A DAY, A CLAIM AT LEAST PARTIALLY VERIFIED BY THE ALUMINUM PULL-TABS HE COLLECTS AND THE STACKS OF FLATTENED RED CARDBOARD BOXES ON THE BACK PORCH. GRACELAND TOO IS IN HOLLY SPRINGS, A NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI TOWN OF ABOUT 8,000. IT'S A CONVENIENT STOP FOR FANS ON AN ELVIS PILGRIMAGE, SITTING ABOUT HALFWAY BETWEEN PRESLEY'S BIRTHPLACE IN TUPELO, MISS., AND THE KING'S FINAL HOME AND RESTING PLACE, THE UNAFFILIATED GRACELAND MANSION IN MEMPHIS, TENN. UNTIL GRACELAND TOO BECAME A MAGNET FOR OFFBEAT TOURISM, HOLLY SPRINGS WAS BEST KNOWN FOR ITS TRADITIONAL, AND TASTEFULLY KEPT, WHITE-COLUMNED ANTEBELLUM HOMES. 'HE'S OUR NUMBER ONE ATTRACTION;, SAYS SUZANN WILLIAMS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE LOCAL TOURISM BUREAU. SHE SAYS THAT PEOPLE CALL DAILY WANTING INFORMATION ABOUT GRACELAND TOO, AND THAT THE JAPANESE AND THE BRITISH ARE THE LARGEST GROUPS OF OVERSEAS VISITORS. MACLEOD DOESN'T HAVE A TELEPHONE, BUT THE TOURISM OFFICE TAKE HIM NOTES TO LET HIM KNOW VISITORS ARE COMING.

FLOORS CREAK BENEATH VISITORS' FEET AS THEY WALK THROUGH THE 157 YEAR OLD HOME WARMED BY SPACE HEATERS THAT SIT PERILOUSLY CLOSE TO RAGGEDY SHAG CARPETS AND STACKS OF PAPERS AND MAGAZINES. FOR $5, VISITORS GET TO EXPERIENCE SENSORY OVERLOAD, HARSHLY LIT BY UNSHADED BULBS. DOORWAYS ARE DECORATED WITH SEVERAL ELVIS-PATTERNED CURTAINS IN THE '70s-ERA HUES OF TURQUOISE AND LIME. THERE ARE PHOTOGRAPHS OF A NEWSPAPER WITH MACLEOD'S ALL-TIME FAVORITE HEADLINE: 'ELVIS PRESLEY EXCITES GIRLS, SCARES CRITICS.' A POSTER-SIZED DISPLAY IN THE ENTRYWAY DECLARES 'THE UNIVERSES GALAXYS PLANETS WORLDS ULTIMATE ELVIS FANS.' MACLEOD SAYS HE HAS OWNED HIS HOME SINCE THE MID-1970s AND THAT HE'S HAD 368,000 VISITORS SINCE HE STARTED OPENING IT TO STRANGERS SINCE THE LATE 1980s OR EARLY 1990s. HEAVEN HELP THE FACT-CHECKER WHO'S HAVE TO VERIFY THE STATISTICS HE TOSSES OUT DURING THE TOURS, WHICH TYPICALLY LASTS AN HOUR AN A HALF. FANS SAY THE RANDOM, NONSTOP FLOW OF INFORMATION IS PART OF THE CAMPY APPEAL. MACLEOD SAYS THAT HE BECAME AN ELVIS FAN WHEN HE WAS 13, AND THAT HE ATTENDED OVER 120 CONCERTS. IN GRACELAND TOO, MACLEOD CLAIMS TO HAVE 35,000 RECORDS AND 25,000 CDS. HE SAYS HE HAS 185,000 SQUARE INCHES OF CARPET THAT ONCE WAS IN GRACELAND. THEN THERE'S THE SCRAPBOOK FILLED WITH TEENSY SLIVERS OF PAPER, 1 MILLION MENTIONS, HE SAYS, OF THE NAME ELVIS PRESLEY. THE CEILING OF THE TV ROOM IS COVERED WITH BASEBALL CARD-SIZE ELVIS PICTURES AND VISITOR COMMENTS PRINTED ON FLUORESCENT PINK, BLUE AND YELLOW PAPER. WROTE ONE MAN FROM PENSACOLA, FLA; 'THIS ELVIS SHRINE IS AS CLOSE TO HEAVEN AS AN ELVIS FAN CAN GET. THIS IS THE ULTIMATE.'

30.12.09

BANKSY IN GRAFFITI WAR AFTER PAINTING OVER 24 YEAR OLD MURAL





GRAFFITI STREET ARTIST BANKSY HAS BECOME EMBROILED IN A TIT-FOR-TAT ROW WITH ANOTHER STREET ARTIST AFTER DELIBERATELY SPRAYING OVER A 24 YEAR OLD ARTWORK. THE ELUSIVE AEROSOL PAINTER HAS CAUSED AN OUTRAGE BY COVERING UP A PIECE OF GRAFFITI THAT HAD REMAINED UNTOUCHED SINCE IT WAS PAINTED IN 1985. ITS CREATOR, 'ROBBO', A HUGELY RESPECTED GRAFFITI ARTIST, IMMEDIATELY RETALIATED BY SPRAYING HIS NAME OVER BANKSY'S PAINTING OF A WORKMAN ON A WALL IN NORTH LONDON. COVERING OVER SOMEONE ELSE'S GRAFFITI IS SEEN AS THE ULTIMATE MARK OF DISRESPECT WITHIN THE STREET ART COMMUNITY. THE DISPUTE BEGAN LAST WEEK WHEN BANKSY PRODUCED SEVERAL PAINTINGS ALONG THE REGENTS'S CANAL AREA IN THE RUN-UP TO CHRISTMAS. ONE FEATURED A CHARACTER IN WORKMAN'S OVERALLS PASTING GRAFFITI COVERED WALLPAPER ON A GRAY WALL, WHICH COVERED ROBO'S 1985 MURAL. ROBBO, WHOSE REAL NAME IS UNKNOWN, PROMPTLY RECLAIMED HIS SPACE AND COVERED OVER THE EXPOSED PART OF THE WALL WITH A NEW PAINTING DECLARING 'KING ROBBO' IN 3 FOOT HIGH SILVER LETTERS. THE ROW HAS SPARKED A WAR OF WORDS ON PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE FLIKR, WHERE ROBBO AND HIS ASSOCIATES AND ARTISTS FROM AROUND BRITAIN HAVE VOICED THEIR DISGUST AT BANKSY'S ACT OF DISRESPECT. ONE GRAFFITI WRITER, CALLING HIMSELF CITRUS TOPNOTE JR, SAID: 'IN THE WORLD OF GRAFFITI YOU DON'T USE OTHER PEOPLE'S WORK AS PART OF YOUR OWN UNLESS YOU'RE FRIENDS WITH THEM AND YOU AGREE BEFOREHAND. REGARDLESS OF THE ROBBO, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT ALONE. SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN AROUND AS LONG AS BANKSY SHOULD KNOW THE DRILL BY NOW. THAT SORT OF S*** IS ASKING FOR TROUBLE.' IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME THE INFAMOUS ARTIST HAS FALLEN FOUL OF FELLOW GRAFFITI ARTISTS. LAST MONTH A SECTION OF WALL IN A CROYDON INDUSTRIAL ESTATE FEATURING A BANKSY WORK WAS REMOVED AFTER VANDALS COVERED IT WITH TAGS.AND IN MARCH THIS YEAR, A MURAL BANKSY HAD DEDICATED TO A LATE GRAFFITI ARTIST CALLED OZONE WAS PAINTED OVER. THE ENIGMATIC ARTIST, WHOSE IDENTITY IS STILL UNCONFIRMED, IS NOW THOUGHT TO BE A MILLIONAIRE THANKS TO HIS POPULARITY AMONGST THE ART COMMUNITY AND CELEBRITIES ALIKE. IN 2005, CHRISTINA AGUILERA BOUGHT AN ORIGINAL DEPICTION OF QUEEN VICTORIA AS A LESBIAN AND TWO PRINTS FOR £25,000. THE FOLLOWING YEAR ANGELINA JOLIE PURCHASED THREE OF HIS WORKS TOTALING £250,000.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHEERS UP DOG OWNER WITH SYMPATHY LETTER


STAN LEE, 95, RECEIVED A REPLY WITH A WEEK AFTER HIS LETTER EXPLAINING HOW TEDDY, HIS 13 YEAR OLD JAPANESE CHIN, HAD FALLEN FROM A BED AT LEE'S HOME IN TIVERTON, DEVON. IN THE LETTER, PENNED BY LADY IN WAITING JENNIFER GORDON-LENNOX, THE QUEEN SAID SHE WAS 'SO SORRY' TO HEAR ABOUT THE DEATH. 'HER MAJESTY WAS SO SORRY TO LEARN OF THE DEATH OF YOUR LITTLE DOG, TEDDY, AND CAN UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH YOU WILL MISS HIS FAITHFUL COMPANIONSHIP', SAID GORDON-LENNOX. 'THE QUEEN WAS VERY SORRY TOO, TO HEAR OF THE OTHER DIFFICULTIES YOU HAVE HAD TO FACE, BUT GLAD TO KNOW YOU HAVE RECEIVED SO MUCH SUPPORT FROM YOUR FRIENDS. HER MAJESTY WAS TOUCHED BY YOUR LETTER, AND I AM TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR WRITING TO THE QUEEN AT THIS TIME.' LEE REGULARLY WRITES TO THE QUEEN ASKING ABOUT THE HEALTH OF HER CORGIS AND FAMILY MEMBERS AND LAST YEAR HE SENT THE PALACE A PHOTOGRAPH OF HIMSELF AND TEDDY. 'I WRITE TO THE QUEEN EVERY YEAR AND SHE UNDERSTANDS DOGS AND WHAT IT MEANS TO LOSE THEM', HE SAID.

HENNESSY PARADIS HORUS COGNAC



HENNESSY HAVE TEAMED UP WITH ITALIAN DESIGNER FERRUCCIO LAVIANI TO CREATE A UNIQUE AND STUNNING BOTTLE FOR THEIR PARADIS COGNAC. THE PARADIS COGNAC IS A MELANGE OF OVER A HUNDRED VARIOUS RARE EAUX-DE-VIES, AGED BETWEEN 25-130 YEARS, FROM COGNAC'S FINEST GROWING REGIONS AND THEN AGED TOGETHER IN OAK CASKS. THE RICH COGNAC IS PRESENTED IN AN 18 CARAT GOLD PLATED DECANTER WHICH IS SHAPED LIKE A FLAME, INSPIRED BY THE EGYPTIAN GOD OF THE MOON AND SUN, HORUS. THE BOTTLE HAS AN OVER-SIZED STOPPER WHICH LOOKS LIKE LIQUID OVERFLOWING FROM THE BOTTLE AND INCORPORATES A NEW METALLIC FINISHING TECHNIQUE. THE HENNESSY PARADIS HORUS COGNAC IS AVAILABLE IN EXTREMELY LIMITED QUANTITIES.

29.12.09

FAUCHON CREATES THE BRIGITTE BARDOT ECLAIR



AFTER LAUNCHING THE FAMOUS ECLAIR MONA LISA, FAUCHON RECENTLY INTRODUCED ITS NEWEST GOURMANDISE CREATION FROM ITS TRIBUTE COLLECTION FEATURING FRENCH ACTRESS BRIDGITTE BARDOT. THE PATISSERIE IS DELICATELY FLAVORED WITH ROSE AND ALMOND AND DECORATED WITH A PHOTO OF BARDOT FROM 1959 BY SAM LEVIN. IN 2008 FAUCHON CREATED A NEW CHOCOLATE PRINTING TECHNIQUE THAT ENABLE TO DISPLAY IMAGES. THE “BB” ECLAIR IS AVAILABLE IN PARIS AT THE FAUCHON STORE LOCATED AT 26 PLACE DE LA MADELAEINE UNTIL 31.JANUARY AND COSTS 6€.

MARITIME ENTHUSIAST TURNS GARDEN SHED INTO A MUSEUM




A MARITIME ENTHUSIAST HAS TURNED HIS GARDEN SHED INTO ONE OF BRITAIN'S SMALLEST MUSEUMS. DEDICATED ROBERT CARTER FROM PLYMOUTH HAS TRANSFORMED HIS SMALL SHED INTO AN AMAZING WONDERLAND OF MARITIME HISTORY. THE MUSEUM, WHICH MEASURES 12ft BY 6ft, FEATURES HUNDREDS OF HISTORICAL PIECES ON DISPLAY, PERFECTLY CURATED TO GIVE A STUNNING EFFECT. CARTER DOESN'T CHARGE FOR ENTRY TO THE MUSEUM, BUT ENCOURAGES ANYONE WITH AN INTEREST VISIT AND HAVE A LOOK AROUND. HE SAID: 'IT MUST BE THE SMALLEST MUSEUM. IF THERE WAS A SMALLER ONE I WOULD KNOW IT FOR SURE. I GET A FEW HUNDRED OR SO PEOPLE VISIT EVERY YEAR JUST THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH. IT IS GREAT TO SEE PEOPLE'S REACTIONS WHEN THEY COME IN. IT IS LIKE THEY CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT THEY'RE SEEING. MOST PEOPLE WHO VISIT ARE GENUINE ENTHUSIASTS SO THEY REALLY APPRECIATE THE PIECES I HAVE AND HOW RARE THEY ARE. MY AMBITION WOULD BE TO GET A DECOMMISSIONED LIGHT SHIP PUT IT IN THE GARDEN SO I COULD TURN IT INTO A FULL SIZE MUSEUM.' ON SHOW ARE HISTORIC UNIFORMS FROM NAVAL CAPTAINS, LIEUTENANTS, DOCTORS AND A MID-SHIPMAN'S UNIFORM WORN BY A 12 YEAR OLD BOY. HE ALSO BOASTS A POWDER KEG AND A SAILORS HAT USED DURING THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR AND COAL SHOVELS FROM HMS BULLDOG. OTHER ITEMS INCLUDE, A SHIP'S COMPASS, DIVER'S TORCH, CUTLASSES, PIECES OF EIGHT, A RUM BARREL, A SILVER ADMIRAL'S WHISTLE DATED 1820. CARTER SAID HE HAD CONSIDERED SELLING THE COLLECTION TO AN AMERICAN FRIEND NINE YEARS AGO BUT COULDN'T GO THROUGH WITH IT. HE SAID: 'A FRIEND OF MINE DID WANT TO BUY IT AND I WAS CONSIDERING IT. YOU COULD BUY A HOUSE WITH MONEY IT IS WORTH. BUT IN THE END I COULDN'T GO THROUGH WITH IT. I'VE BEEN BUILDING THE COLLECTION FOR 42 YEARS. MY GRANDFATHER HAD COLLECTED QUITE A FEW PIECES AND I JUST CARRIED IT ON. YOU CAN'T PULL A VALUE ON THESE THINGS, TO ME THEY ARE PRICELESS.'

28.12.09

POCKET WATCH GIVEN TO EDWARD VIIII BY WALLIS SIMPSON TO BE AUCTIONED


A POCKET WATCH GIVEN TO EDWARD VIII BY WALLIS SIMPSON IS EXPECTED TO FETCH £60,000 AT AN UPCOMING AUCTION. THE ONYX CARTIER POCKET WATCH IS INSCRIBED "EASTER 12/4/36" AND IS ONE OF FOUR ITEMS BEING AUCTIONED OFF IN THE SALE. OTHER ITEMS BELONGING TO THE DUCHESS OF WINDSOR INCLUDE A SILVER-GILT SEAL BOX, WHICH HAS A GUIDE PRICE OF £50,000, AN 18 CARAT PENCIL HOLDER WHICH ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR £12,000 AND A 14 CARAT POCKET MAGNIFYING GLASS ESTIMATED AT £8,000. KING EDWARD VIII ABDICATED THE THRONE ON 11.DECEMBER.1936 SO THAT HE COULD MARRY THE TWICE DIVORCED AMERICAN. THE ITEMS BELONGING TO A BUSINESSMAN FROM CORSHAM, NEAR CHIPPENHAM, WILTS, ARE TO BE AUCTIONED BY GARDINER HOULGATE AUCTIONEERS ON 25.MARCH.2010. DAVE HARE, DIRECTOR AND AUCTIONEER AT GARDINER HOULGATE, SAID: 'MY PERSONAL FAVORITE IS THE SILVER GILT BOX BECAUSE I THINK IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL."

ASPREY HOLIDAY CRACKERS 2009


ASPREY HAVE A LONG TRADITION OF MAKING HOLIDAY CRACKERS EVERY YEAR WHICH ARE TRADITIONALLY PULLED APART BY TWO PEOPLE RESULTING IN A POP AND A SURPRISE INSIDE. THE CRACKERS CONTAIN A CUSTOMARY PAPER CROWN, A FORTUNE MESSAGE AND A SMALL GIFT. ASPREY CHANGES THE GIFTS EACH YEAR AND THIS YEAR'S CRACKERS CONTAIN; A THIRST AID COLLAPSIBLE CUP, A STERLING SILVER AND MOTHER OF PEARL FRAME, A TEA LIGHT HOLDER, A HANDBAG MIRROR, AN OCTOPUS PLACE CARD HOLDER, A LILY CHAIN BRACELET, A LILY PENDANT, SNAKE CUFF LINKS, RESOLUTION DIE, LADIES AND GENTS PEN, A CARD CASE, A TORCH KEYRING, A WHISTLE AND A CRACKER SHELL. THIS YEARS HOLIDAY CRACKER IS IN ASPREY'S SIGNATURE PURPLE AND SILVER WITH A CROCODILE SKIN DESIGN, THE STUNNING LUXURIOUS CRACKERS ARE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM ASPREY BOUTIQUES.

GUERNSEY'S AUCTION HOUSE TO SELL TAVERN ON THE GREEN ASSETS


NEW YORK'S HISTORIC FAMED RESTAURANT AND CELEBRATION SPOT TAVERN ON THE GREEN HAS ASKED A BANKRUPTCY COURT TO APPROVE THE SALE OF ITS TABLEWARE AND ART, INCLUDING TIFFANY STAINED GLASS, MURALS AND ETCHED MIRRORS, AT A MID-JANUARY AUCTION. THE AUCTION, RUN BY GUERNSEY'S AND SCHEDULED FOR 13-14.JANUARY, WILL OFFER SOME 900 LOTS OF ITEMS INCLUDING BACCARAT CHANDELIERS, OUTDOOR TOPIARIES AND COPPER WEATHER VANES TO RESTAURATEURS, DECORATORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. 'THE PLACE SETTINGS THAT WERE PART OF SO MANY WONDERFUL DINNERS WILL BE SOLD', SAID GUERNSEY'S IN AN AUCTION NOTICE ON ITS WEBSITE. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ASSETS SUCH AS THE COMPANY'S WELL-KNOWN NAME, RECIPES AND RESERVATION DATA, ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SALE. 'BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY CREATED BY CLOSING ITS DOORS AS A RESTAURANT ON OR ABOUT 31.DECEMBER, AND BECAUSE THE DEBTORS NEED TO VACATE ITS CENTRAL PARK PREMISES BY 14.FEBRUARY, THE INSTANT SALE NOTION WILL ESSENTIALLY PRESERVE THE VALUE OF THE DEBTORS' ASSETS BY CONVERTING THEM IMMEDIATELY TO CASH', SAID THE COMPANY IN A COURT DOCUMENT. TAVERN ON THE GREEN, LOCATED IN NEW YORK'S CENTRAL PARK, HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN AS A PLACE TO CELEBRATE SPECIAL OCCASIONS. IT IS PLANNING A NEW YEAR'S EVE 2009 FAREWELL PARTY. THE RESTAURANT FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION IN SEPTEMBER AFTER THE CITY GRANTED A NEW LEASE FOR THE PROPERTY TO ANOTHER RESTAURANT. DEAN POLL, WHO OPERATES THE BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT IN CENTRAL PARK, WON THE LICENSE FOR THE LOCATION AND HAS PROPOSED A $25 MILLION RENOVATION BEFORE THE OPENING AGAIN. IT'S NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE NEW VENUE WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE THE TAVERN ON THE GREEN NAME.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE AUCTION CAN BE FOUND AT guernseys.com

CENTER FOR FINE ARTS, BRUSSELS, TO PRESENT EL GRECO EXHIBITION


REGARDED TODAY AS ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE SPANISH SCHOOL OF PAINTING, EL GRECO HAS NOT, HOWEVER, ALWAYS ENJOYED THE LOFTY STATUS. AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH IN TOLEDO IN 1614, EUROPE WAS WILDLY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE THEN FASHIONABLE NATURALISM OF THE CARAVAGGESQUE STYLE, POLES APART FROM HIS OWN BRILLIANT MANNERISM. EL GRECO'S WORK SOON WENT OUT OF FASHION AND REMAINED RELATIVELY NEGLECTED DOWN THE CENTURIES, UNTIL 1908, WHEN THE ART HISTORIAN MANUEL BARTOLEME COSSIO DEVOTED A KEY MONOGRAPH ON HIM. THE EL GRECO CRAZE TOOK OFF IMMEDIATELY. IN 1910 A DISCERNING ART COLLECTOR, THE MARQUES DE LA VEGA-INCLAN, EVEN ESTABLISHED A MUSEUM IN HIS HONOR IN TOLEDO. THE PAINTER'S FAME, ACCORDINGLY, FLOURISHED ANEW, AS RAPIDLY AS IT HAD BEEN EXTINGUISHED. I ADDITION TO OUTLINING THE KEY ROLE PLAYED BY THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SPECTACULAR REDISCOVERY, THE EXHIBITION PRESENTS A FASCINATING OVERVIEW OF THE PAINTER'S ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT VIA A UNIQUE SELECTION OF OUTSTANDING WORKS, INCLUDING THE STUNNING 'THE DISROBING OF CHRIST' AND THE STRIKING 'ST PETER IN TEARS', THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE EXHIBITION IS EL GRECO'S FINAL SERIES OF 'APOSTLES', HIS ARTISTIC TESTAMENT: A COMPLETE, ASTONISHINGLY MODERN SERIES, REMARKABLE FOR ITS TOTALLY FREE FORMS AND ITS EXTRAORDINARILY BRIGHT COLOURS. AFTER THE EXHIBITION TO THE CENTER OF FINE ARTS, BRUSSELS, THE AMAZING SERIES WILL RETURN TO THE MUSEO DE EL GRECO IN TOLEDO.

27.12.09

DIOCESAN MUSEUM DISPLAYS 15th CENTURY CRUCIFIX


THE CRUCIFIX ATTRIBUTED TO ITALIAN SCULPTOR MICHELANGELO FOUR YEARS AGO, MEASURES 16.52 INCHES AND WAS BOUGHT BY THE ITALIAN STATE FOR AN ESTIMATED $4,347,997. THE CRUCIFIX WAS DISPLAYED AT THE ITALIAN LOWER CHAMBER BEFORE IT BEING DISPLAYED AT THE DIOCESAN MUSEUM. THE CRUCIFIX IS A POLYCHROME WOOD SCULPTURE THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN FINISHED IN 1492. THE WORK IS ESPECIALLY NOTABLE FOR THE FACT THAT THE CHRIST FIGURE IS PORTRAYED NUDE. A NUDE CHRIST ON THE CROSS IS NONETHELESS KEEPING TRUE TO SCRIPTURE. HIS CLOTHING BEING REMOVED BY ROMAN SOLDIERS WAS THE FULFILLMENT OF PSALM 22:18, 'THEY PART MY GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND CAST LOTS UPON MY VESTURE.' ALL OF THE GOSPEL WRITERS SUGGEST THE NAKEDNESS WHILE JOHN SUPPLIES THE DETAILS: 'THEN THE SOLDIERS, WHEN THEY HAD CRUCIFIED JESUS, TOOK HIS GARMENTS, AND MADE FOURPARTS, TO EVERY SOLDIER A PART; AND ALSO HIS COAT: NOW THE COAT WAS WITHOUT SEAM, WOVEN FROM THE TOP THROUGHOUT. THEY SAID THEREFORE AMONG THEMSELVES, LET US NOT REND IT, BUT CST LOTS FOR IT, WHOSE SHALL IT BE: THAT THE SCRIPTURE MIGHT BE FULFILLED, WHICH SAITH, 'THEY PARTED MY RAIMENT AMONG THEM, AND FOR MY VESTURE THEY DID CAST LOTS.' THESE THINGS THEREFORE THE SOLDIERS DID.' UNIQUE TO THE CRUCIFIX IS THE SIGN ATTACHED TO THE CROSS. IT INCLUDES JESUS' ACCUSATION INSCRIBED IN HEBREW, GREEK AND LATIN. THE WORDING IS 'JESUS OF NAZARETH KING OF THE JEWS'. ALL OF THE EVANGELISTS RECORD THIS INSCRIPTION WHICH VARIES SLIGHTLY AMONG THEM. HERE THE ARTIST FAVORED THE RENDERING FROM JOHN'S GOSPEL. ALSO PRESENT IS THE SPEAR WOUND INFLICTED INTO JESUS' SIDE BY A ROMAN SOLDIER. THE FULFILLMENT OF ANOTHER SCRIPTURE WHICH SAITH, 'THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED'. HIS BLOOD IS SEEN DRIPPING FROM THE WOUND. A WOUND INFLICTED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS SOON AFTER JESUS DECLARED 'IT IS FINISHED', BOWED HIS HEAD AND GAVE UP THE GHOST. IF THE CRUCIFIX IS TRULY BY HIGH RENAISSANCE MASTER, MICHELANGELO, HIS PORTRAYAL OF THE NUDE JESUS, ALONG WITH THE ACCURACY OF OTHER DETAILS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE BIBLICAL RECORD.

ARTISANS CREATE A STUNNING HOMAGE TO THE HISTORIC PALACE OF VERSAILLES IN MINIATURE


WITH EXACTING AND PRECISE ATTENTION TO DETAILS, THE EXQUISITELY CRAFTED MINIATURE DOLLHOUSE OF A FRENCH 18th CENTURY HOTEL PARTICULAR IS A HOMAGE TO THE HISTORIC PALACE OF VERSAILLES AND WOULD PLEASE EVEN MARIE ANTOINETTE. THE STUNNING CREATION WAS CREATED BY HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM KEVIN MULVANY AND SUSIE RODGERS, WHO SPECIALIZE IN ARCHITECTURAL MINIATURES, IT WAS COMMISSIONED FOR ABOUT £70,000 BY AN AMERICAN WOMAN WITH A PASSION FOR FRENCH CULTURE AND STYLE. MULVANY AND RODGERS, OF HOLT, WILTSHIRE, SPENT SIX MONTHS CRAFTING THE FIVE-ROOM MANSION.


THEY RECREATED THE REALISTIC LOOKING MARBLE, STONE AND BRICK-WORK BY USING CLASSIC TROMPE-L'OEIL PAINT TECHNIQUES, GILDING AND FRENCH POLISHING. ONE UNIQUE CONCEPT ABOUT THE HOUSE IS THAT THE ROOMS CAN BE TAKEN OUT AND REARRANGED. COLUMNS AND CHIMNEY-PIECES ARE ADDED SEPARATELY AND ARE CARVED IN LIMESTONE, PLASTER AND RESINS. THE VERSAILLES-STYLE PARQUET FLOORING CONTAINS OVER 5,000 INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF WOOD. RODGERS SAYS: 'OUR PIECES AREN'T LIFELESS MODELS. WE AIM TO RECREATE A REAL SENSE OF ATMOSPHERE; TO GIVE THE FEELING THAT SOMEONE HAS ONLY JUST LEFT THE ROOM. WE RESEARCH THE BUILDING FROM BOOKS AND OLD PLANS, MAKE SITE VISITS TO PHOTOGRAPH AND SKETCH, THEN BUILD THE STRUCTURAL MODEL. THE TOP FLOOR IS LARGELY INCOMPLETE. 'IT'S AS IF A FAMILY HAS JUST MOVED IN AND THE FURNITURE IS STILL IN THE WRONG PLACE', SAYS RODGERS. ON THE LEFT IS A STUDY WITH A CHAIR AND MIRROR. THE MIDDLE ROOM IS THE BOUDOIR AND INCLUDES A MID-18th CENTURY COMMODE MADE FROM SATIN WOOD AND IS BASED ON A ROCOCO ORIGINAL COST £700 ALONE. A METAL CAT IS DRAPED OVER THE HAND-INLAID LIME-WOOD PARQUET FLOORING, THE DIMINUTIVE CHAIRS ARE COVERED WITH SILK AND THE PORCELAIN TEACUPS WERE MADE AND HAND-PAINTED BU RODGERS. THE THIRD ROOM IS THE MAIN BEDROOM, WITH A FOUR-POSTER BED MADE OF INTRICATELY CARVED LIME-WOOD PAINTED CREAM AND COVERED WITH SHIMMERING BLUE SILK HANGINGS.THE BALUSTRADE IS MADE OF GILDED METAL, WITH A WOODEN STAIRCASE PAINTED TO RESEMBLE STONE AND A PLASTER FLOOR PAINTED TO LOOK LIKE MARBLE. THE MIDDLE ROOM IS A GRAND 18th CENTURY SALON, COMPLETE WITH A HARP MADE OF WOOD, CARVED WITH ROSES ON TOP AND STRINGS MADE OF SILK THREADS. AN ELABORATE METAL TABLE WITH A TROMPE-L'OEIL MARBLE TOP IS AGAINST THE SIDE WALL AND TWO PORCELAIN VASES, COPIES OF SERVES ORIGINALS ARE ON TOP. AND A STUNNING PORTRAIT OF A LADY OVERSEES THE ROOM. THE FIREPLACE IS A COPY OF ONE IN VERSAILLES, WITH CHERUBS CARVED ON ITS SIDE PANELS. THE CLOCK IS A WORKING WATCH AND SEVERAL SEVRES-STYLE FIGURINES SIT ABOVE THE FIREPLACE. THE CHAIRS AND LOVE SEAT ARE GILDED WOOD COVERED WITH FROM 18th CENTURY ANTIQUE TAPESTRY AND THE NEOCLASSICAL TABLE IS MADE OF WOOD WITH A CENTRAL PEDESTAL THAT LOOKS LIKE A QUIVER OF ARROWS. THE DINING ROOM ON THE IS BASED ON VERSAILLES'S HALL OF MIRRORS. ALL THE POLISHED MIRRORS ARE OF POLISHED STEEL.

AMGUEDDFA CYMRU - NATIONAL MUSEUM WALES ACQUIRES NEW ART WORK BY ALAN DAVIE


JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON, AMGUEDDFA CYMRU - NATIONAL MUSEUM WALES RECENTLY ANNOUNCED ITS ACQUISITION OF 'CRAZY GONDOLIER (1960), A BRIGHT, JUBILANT PAINTING BY SCOTTISH ARTIST ALAN DAVIE. THE WORK WAS ACQUIRED WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE DEREK WILLIAMS TRUST (£30,000) AND THE ART FUND, THE UK's LEADING INDEPENDENT ART CHARITY (£20,000). 'CRAZY GONDOLIER IS ON DISPLAY AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM CARDIFF'S POPULAR 'THE SIGHT OF SOUND' EXHIBITION. THE EXHIBITION FEATURES WORKS OF ART INFLUENCED BY MUSIC AND MUSIC INSPIRED BY ART. MUSIC IS A THEME WHICH IS OFTEN REFLECTED IN DAVIE'S WORK. HE WAS A JAZZ MUSICIAN AND HIS SPONTANEOUS, ENERGETIC ABSTRACT PAINTINGS SUCH AS 'CRAZY GONDOLIER' ARE OFTEN COMPARED TO FREE FORM MUSIC. DAVIE WAS BORN IN SCOTLAND IN 1919 AND TRAINED AT EDINBURGH COLLEGE OF ART. AWARDED A TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP IN 1941, HE TOOK INSPIRATION FROM THE WORKS OF PICASSO, HENRY MOORE AND MARC CHAGALL DURING HIS TIME IN EUROPE AND WENT ON TO DEVELOP HIS OWN SIGNATURE STYLE. AMGUEDDFA CYMRU - NATIONAL MUSEUM WALES HAS A NUMBER OF WORKS ON PAPER BY DAVIE, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST PAINTING BY THE ARTIST TO ENTER ITS COLLECTIONS, AND IS FROM A PARTICULARLY VIBRANT PERIOD OF THE ARTIST'S CAREER. THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS THE LAST CHANCE TO ENJOY THE SIGHT OF SOUND EXHIBITION WHICH WILL CLOSE IN THE NEW YEAR. THE MUSEUM WILL THEN DISPLAY MORE CONTEMPORARY ART THROUGH 'ARTES MUNDI 4' WHICH WILL OPEN IN MARCH 2010.